ElmoTheDestroyer

Hi,

I plan on getting one through a dealer auction and I’m trying to figure out roughly what I should expect for prices…

I want to get a 2007 or 2008 Acura TL w/navigation, less than 100,000 miles in overall good condition. The only other stipulation I have is it can’t be that beige/champagne color.

I’m curious, could one of you check Manhiem (I understand that’s an online, dealer-only auction price guide?), or give me some info on what you’ve seen recently, if you happen to recall what you’ve seen a car similar to what I’m looking for sell for.

Also, I’ll be purchasing the car in Wisconsin… I know of one dealer who says he will find a car at auction for $500 + auction fees. If any of you happen to know of anyone in WI or Northern IL who can do this for less I’d love to get their name!

I see these cars on Craigslist for $10-11k+, so I’m guessing $7-8k at auction? Anyway, any real information you guys/gals could share would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Acura-OC

I will take 2008 for $11K please post some links

ElmoTheDestroyer

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/3839158154.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/ctd/3864170284.html

The second one is slightly over $11k but im sure if ya had cash the price would come down slightly... No clue if the first one is legit or not... Just took 5 minutes to search and those were the first 2 I saw...

Their not averaging 10-11k, but they do pop up fairly often if ya watch close...

I'm sure auction price won't be far below, but it would be nice to hear some actual numbers of what cars have been selling for recently...

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

those craigslist prices arent a good reflection of the value. Never base a car's value on 1 or 2 craigslist postings. Sometimes people list cars for much lower because of some problem with the car or for all you know its some kind of bait ad to get you in the dealership only to find out its sold and they have other cars to sell to you. Having said that, yes its also possible to get a super good deal once in a rare while, but dont count on it. 07-08 TL with 100k miles should be about 13k at least.

ElmoTheDestroyer

Well, I see cars in that price range fairly often.. I actually found 8-10 more in various areas around that price... It's definitely the low end of the price range, but I can reliably find them around that price. Which makes sense I think, if a dealer is selling it for $13, it doesn't seem that unusual for a private owner to try to sell for $11 or so, does it? You're right, sometimes the lower priced stuff has problems... Not always though, I just sold a boat for a big loss, simply because I don't have the time to sit on it and wait for a "good" price... Just wanted it gone so I sold it cheap. (Need money for a TL )

Regardless, what I see online doesnt matter... My question is, what are these currently selling for at dealer auction? I know if you have a membership to Manhiem or something like that you can get a list of cars that recently sold at auction and see what they sold for... That would be perfect!

Appreciate the responses guys, thanks!

truonghthe

remember price reflect for the car condition and some issue if there are any, when buying from an auction you can't bring to a mechanic if there is some thing goes wrong and check out and if the title had been washed you stuck with the car since all auction cars sold as is the only warranty you have is factory warranty. Some times small dealer bought car from the auction and later found out the car need repair then push it back the auction lot.

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

I think you've got a better chance of getting a 24 oz porterhouse in a nice restaurant for 5 bucks than finding a clean '07-08 TL with navigation and average miles for $7-8k at auction.

A general rule of thumb with Hondas/Acuras is that they still retain around 55-60% of their original sticker price at the 5 year mark, speaking in terms of retail pricing. NADA lists an '08 TL with navigation/75k miles at $19100 retail/13550 rough trade value and an '07 with navigation/90k miles at $16800 retail/11400 rough trade.

I think auction prices for these cars will generally be in the neighborhood of rough trade value, possibly a bit less. To find an 07/08 in the 7-8k range you'd be looking at one with ridiculous miles/defects.

Acura-OC

I thought that you were looking for a car with less than 100K miles and with navigation.

NBP_BALLER

Very accurate post here ^ I work for Sewell Automotive dealerships in Dallas Tx. I bought my TL for $13,400 with 85k. The dealer wanted 18k but I work for them and got it for what they paid for it plus what they had in it. The dealership low balled the guy who traded it in and gave him 11k(as typical dealers do to make money) My car is not a navi either. So if your at auction, take in mind your car will probably be no less than 12-13k(BAD BAD condition-you should prob stay away from) I took mine to the dealership and had 5k of broken things replaced(no maint) right after i bought it. Your better off buying a car for a good price that you know was taken car of. Why is it at an auction???? Because a dealership cannot sell it on their lot due to the extensive price to get it fixed back to normal. Only REALLY crappy cars go to auction, if your willing to spend 8k on a car and 10k to fix it back to perfect condition, go for it. But smarts should tell you otherwise.

buzzkill911

Much good advice above, just a couple other points...

Most dealers that tell you this are trying to get you in the door and worry about what car they sell you later. It's easy to promise this, pulling through is another story.

Also, I'm a few years removed from the auto industry but I think Honda/Acura is very protective of their franchise dealers so not everyone has access to Acura TL's at auctions. Most off-lease Acuras are only available to Honda/Acura dealers. Independent dealers will only have the ability to purchase TL's that another dealer is auctioning because it didn't sell on their lot or they aren't interested in selling it. And as mentioned above, I wouldn't be excited about a TL at auction that a different dealer didn't or couldn't sell themselves.

OP, everyone wants a good deal on their vehicle purchase but the simple truth is that if it were as easy as you mention more people would be doing it. Good luck with your purchase!

JohnG3TLS

Heres a good buy in NoCal.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3873398508.html

VoodooTL

I am also looking into buying a 06-08 TL at a dealer auction. But for me I have 15K to spend. I have a close family friend that does this for a living. I have to imagine that at Manheim auctions there should be plenty of TL's in that price range with around 70K miles. Any information or suggestions is appreciated.

lightlypurified

iTrader: (1)

ive had bad experience from buying cars from auctions they usually all have unibody or frame damage like what the other guy above said have it inspected.

iKnowrite

Bought mine through a car dealership auction strictly private unless own a dealership I say price depend on the day and how many people looked at the car and wanting to buy it vary from as low as 9k and up to 14k by the amount of people auctioning I got mine rare find 05 aspec version for 8500 a steal once in a blue moon lucky me

VoodooTL

O wow thats awesome! I would love to find an Aspec version..a type S would be nice as well. Manheim auctions get their cars from mostly reputable sources but you always have to be sure to check out the cars before the hammer drops

allaces

price will vary at auctions. all depends on how many dealers are bidding on vehicle. it might help to look up kbb price for your area. and from what ive seen is anywhere from 4-6k less.
for example i paid $7200 for a 2006 nissan altima and dealers were asking about 13k at the time. hopefully this helps.

buzzkill911

Obviously exceptions exist, but I'd be leery of any TL-S that a dealer had to sell at auction. 3G TL-S hold their value well and are pretty easy to sell regardless of geographic location. So generally a dealer is only going to bring a TL-S to auction because they couldn't sell it or didn't want to. Neither of which is good news to potential buyers.

Scottwax

Auction cars are there because they have high mileage, trashed appearance or collision damage. Cars that go to auction are there because the condition is too poor or mileage too excessive for a new car dealer to handle through their used car sales.

truonghthe

auction lot = place where large dealer want to get rid of headache.

Turbocoop

iTrader: (3)

Thats not always the case, sometimes cars end up at auctions because a dealership that takes it in as a trade-in might not necessarily think it will sell at their location for some reason or another, or they barely paid anything for it and it is easier for them to take it to auction as-is than to put it on the lot for god knows how long. Long story short- you can very easily get lucky at an auction, but it is even easier to get screwed. If you have the skills to fix anything that might be wrong with it- by all means go ahead and buy it at auction. FYI- I bought my 04 Aspec on ebay without ever seeing it in person and it has turned out to be the best car Ive ever owned.